In August 2026, millions of people are expected to travel to Spain to witness one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles: a total solar eclipse. On the evening of August 12, for a little over a minute, day will turn into night, temperatures will fall, and the sun’s hidden corona will appear in breathtaking beauty.
To mark this unique occasion, the European office of the Geoscience Research Institute is organizing The Sun Still Shines, a four-day faith and science conference focused on astronomy, cosmology, and origins.
This unique event will be held from August 10 to 13 at the Sagunto Adventist Campus, which happens to lie within the path of totality.
The program will bring together faith, learning, and discovery through presentations, field trips, workshops, and the shared experience of observing the eclipse from a prime viewing location in an elevated area close to the campus.
The main speaker will be Dr. Josué Cardoso dos Santos, professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and expert in astrodynamics, celestial mechanics, and space exploration. Some of his topics will include “Genesis and the Big Bang”, “the Fine-Tuning of the Universe”, “Understanding the Eclipse”, and “Astronomy and Faith”.
Additional sessions will include workshops on the history of astronomy by Dr. Daniel Blanco and on educational approaches to the integration of faith and learning by Dr. Noemí Duran.
The gathering is designed for young adults, families, students, church members, educators, and all who are curious to explore the harmony between faith and science. No advanced scientific background is required—only curiosity and a willingness to be inspired.
Because the event takes place immediately after the Adventist Youth Congress in Valencia, it also offers an excellent opportunity for many visitors already planning to come to Spain to extend their stay for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
More information regarding registration, program details, and accommodation can be found here.
Alongside its program of faith and science, the event will also include moments of worship, devotion, and spiritual reflection. For Christians, the heavens have always pointed beyond themselves, and Scripture reminds us that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). Extraordinary events such as this eclipse can awaken wonder, humility, and renewed appreciation for the Creator who made and sustains the universe.
As millions look to the skies over Spain next August, those attending The Sun Still Shines in Sagunto will have the opportunity not only to witness a rare spectacle, but also to reflect, to learn, and to worship together.
